The winningest head coach in program history, Jon Furbush '05 completed his 17th year at the helm of the Bates College men’s basketball team in 2024-25, with 179 wins and nine NESCAC Championship tournament appearances through 16 seasons, including three appearances in the NESCAC semifinals.
In the 2014-15 season, Furbush led the Bobcats to their most victories in program history (21) and their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament (second overall, after the 1960-61 NCAA College Division Tournament team). The Bobcats were 19-5 in the regular season while playing the second most competitive schedule in Division III, in terms of opponents' aggregate winning percentage. They finished in third place in the NESCAC with a 7-3 conference record. Furbush was named 2014-15 Maine Coach of the Year by the Maine Men's Basketball Coaches and Writers Association.
Furbush has produced five 1,000 point scorers (Graham Safford '15, Mike Boornazian '16, Marcus Delpeche '17, Jeff Spellman '20, Steph Baxter '23). Two players (Marcus and Malcolm Delpeche '17) have signed pro contracts in Germany.
In his first season, during which Furbush was the youngest head men’s basketball coach in the NCAA, the Bobcats posted a 13-12 campaign and made an appearance in the quarterfinals of the 2009 NESCAC Championships. In his second year, Furbush led Bates to a 14-12 record, and the Bobcats advanced to the semifinals of the 2010 NESCAC Championships.
Furbush was named the new men’s basketball coach at Bates after the 2007-08 season, succeeding his former coach, Joe Reilly. Furbush, a 2005 Bates graduate and native of South Portland, Maine, became the college’s 21st head men’s basketball coach.
Furbush was an assistant men’s basketball coach at Springfield College in 2007-08 and held the same position for two seasons at Bates after graduating with a degree in American cultural studies. Furbush has a masters degree in Athletic Administration and Coaching from Concordia University Irvine. He currently resides in South Portland with his wife, Rachael, and two children Anabelle and Jonathan.
“I strive to use basketball as an extension of the classroom, preparing our student-athletes for the next step in life,” says Furbush. “The players in my program will all be respectful and valuable members of the Bates community and will take pride in striving towards excellence on the court and in the classroom.”
